Artistic Influences
Rob Erdle: Watercolor Painter (deceased 2006)
Rob Erdle, Regents Professor at the University of North Texas, was my Watercolor instructor for my Advanced Watercolor classes. His sense of composition, color, and texture are some of the elements that interest me about his works, which usually consist of landscapes treated in an organic fashion (both imaginery and real). He is internationally known, particularly in parts of Asia (such as China). I greatly admire his mastery of the medium. His works explode full of color and life.
Here are some links to his biography, as well as his other works:
Rob Erdle’s Online Gallery
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Harlan Butt: Metalsmith
Harlan Butt was my metalsmithing instructor, as well as head of the metalsmithing department at the University of North Texas. Although I did not pursue a metalsmithing degree, I appreciated Harlan’s delicate approach to the hard-surfaced medium. Like Erdle, Harlan Butt has a fond appreciation for the Asian aesthetic, something that I greatly value. His works are often seen as soft and gentle like a gentle stream, in a medium that requires precision and force. His mastery of the soft touch is something that I aspire to gain someday in my own work.
“The intent of my work is to enshrine and communicate movements or impressive elements of my separate journeys. It is in recognition and celebration of the experience of being and animal.” – Harlan Butt (in Jewelers USA)
Here is a link to his website:
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Yoshitaka Amano: World-Famous Painter and Illustrator
Amano-san is an internationally-known illustrator, famous for his work on the Final Fantasy video game.
His artwork can be seen in a traditional gallery, or on a book cover.
He has become mainstream, while still maintaining his high aesthetic sensitivities.
His works have a natural viscosity; the ink and water have a life of their own.
His style carries the genuine Japanese essence, and yet there is complexity abound throughout his works. Here is his website:
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Alex Ross: World-Famous Painter and Illustrator
Alex Ross redefined comics and graphic novels with his hyper-realistic renditions of classic comic book heroes. His meticulous care in his artwork is world-reknown. His dynamic poses in his portraits come to life. Here is his website:
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Mark Texeira: Illustrator
Mark Texeira’s illustrations are expressive and full of energy. There is always a dark and foreboding undertone in his work. There is always tension at the core of his illustrations.
He has mainstream appeal: his works can be found in a variety of genres, including comic books, music CD covers, video games, romance novels, and even traditional oil paintings.
His dramatic sense of composition and narration are important elements that I’ve tried to emulate in many of my works.
His website is: http://www.marktexeira.com
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This is a GREAT idea! It’s so insightful for yourself as an artist to really consider who your artistic inspirations are. I have not sat down to make a list but it is now on my to do this!
March 22, 2009 at 2:05 AM